Globe Partners with First Gen to Advance Net Zero Ambition

Globe recently signed a supply agreement with First Gen Corporation (First Gen) to provide renewable energy for one of its key network facilities of Globe and a data center under subsidiary ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (Philippines) [STT GDC Philippines] sourced from the Tongonan Geothermal Power Plant in Leyte. The supply agreement was signed by Carlos Lorenzo Vega, Vice President for Power Marketing, Trading and Economics of First Gen and Carlos Malana, President and CEO of STT GDC Philippines (3^rd and 4^th from left, respectively); together with (from left) Alexander Fernando, Operations and Fulfillment Head at STT GDC Philippines; Arlene Soriano, Head of Power Marketing and Sales of First Gen; and Globe officials, namely: Raymond Aguilar, Vice President for Enterprise Risk and Corporate Property Management, Yoly Crisanto, Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer; and Gerard Ortines, Vice President of Network Services and CAPEX Management.

 

#Globe has renewed its strategic partnership with First Gen Corporation, a leading provider of renewable and clean energy in the Philippines, to further its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

This partnership will expand Globe’s Renewable Energy (RE) sites through Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) under Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA) and the Green Energy Option Program (GEOP).

 

Globe aims to increase the number of facilities powered by renewable energy from the current 29 to nearly 70 within the next two years, more than doubling its clean energy usage. First Gen, a key collaborator since 2020, is one of its partners in this endeavor.

“Globe and First Gen share the same vision of a decarbonized and regenerative future where sustainability is ingrained into the organization and operations. We are pleased to continue our partnership and are committed to supporting Globe as it journeys towards greater efficiency and reduced environmental impact,” said Carlos Lorenzo Vega, Vice President for Power Marketing, Economics, and Trading at First Gen.

Raymond Martin Aguilar, Globe’s Vice President for Risk and Property Management, added: “At Globe, sustainability and risk management are core strategies for building business resilience. This partnership with First Gen is a testament to our dedication to these principles.”

To seal the alliance, a ceremonial signing was held recently among Globe, ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (STT GDC) Philippines, and First Gen. The collaboration involves RE adoption not only for Globe’s high energy utilization facilities but also for STT GDC Philippines’ data centers in Cavite.

The telecom industry, with its substantial energy consumption, especially within core sites, plays a pivotal role in today’s digital age. Globe’s Scope 2 emissions, derived from electricity consumption, have historically accounted for an average of 30% of its total Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions.

To realize its net-zero ambition, Globe took the bold step of transitioning its sites to RE beginning in 2019 despite RE being limited and costlier than fossil fuels. By the end of 2023, approximately 18% of Globe’s total energy consumption is now powered by RE, avoiding an estimated 77,000 tonnes of GHG emissions.

“As the first publicly-listed company in the Philippines to have approved near and long-term science-based emissions reduction targets by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), this partnership fuels us in our pursuit of our net-zero ambitions by greening the network and partnering with sustainability-driven companies,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe’s Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer.

Globe remains at the forefront of environmental sustainability in the Philippine telecom sector, actively engaging stakeholders and championing industry practices that advance sustainability.

To learn more about Globe, visit Globe’s website.

FAQs

1. What is the goal of Globe’s partnership with First Gen?

   • The goal is to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 by expanding Globe’s Renewable Energy (RE) sites and increasing the number of facilities powered by renewable energy.

2. How many facilities does Globe plan to power with renewable energy?

   • Globe plans to increase the number of facilities powered by renewable energy from 29 to nearly 70 within the next two years.

3. What are Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) and how do they relate to this partnership?

   • PPAs are contracts between two parties, one which generates electricity (the seller) and one which is looking to purchase electricity (the buyer). In this partnership, PPAs will help expand Globe’s RE sites under Retail Competition and Open Access (RCOA) and the Green Energy Option Program (GEOP).

4. What percentage of Globe’s total energy consumption is currently powered by renewable energy?

   • As of the end of 2023, approximately 18% of Globe’s total energy consumption is powered by renewable energy.

5. What impact has Globe’s transition to renewable energy had on its greenhouse gas emissions?

   • Globe’s transition to renewable energy has avoided an estimated 77,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.